HC Deb 11 May 2001 vol 368 c441W
Mr. Ennis

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to help identify former British Coal canteen workers and cleaners in order that they may receive their equal pay compensation awards. [161068]

Mr. Hain

Former British Coal canteen workers and cleaners eligible to receive an award are already identified. They are those whose claims were lodged with the Employment Tribunal by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in the period 1985–1992.

Mr. Ennis

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many former canteen workers and cleaners of British Coal have been identified as qualifying for an equal pay award under the recently resolved agreement. [161069]

Mr. Hain

There are 1,327 former British Coal canteen workers and cleaners whose equal value claim was lodged with the Employment Tribunal by the National Union of Mineworkers in the period 1985–92 who qualify for an award.

Mr. Ennis

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects former canteen workers and cleaners of British Coal to receive their recently agreed award for compensation under the equal pay agreement. [161067]

Mr. Hain

Former British Coal canteen workers and cleaners should receive payment within a week of formal notification of their claims being withdrawn from the Employment Tribunal.

I expect first payments to be made at the end of May.